Philip Ambrose, Principal of Thurgood Marshall Learning Center, was nominated as High School Principal of the Year for the Blackhawk region by the Illinois Principals Association.

 

The award recognizes high school principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students and learning community. Criteria for the award include: demonstrates a positive impact on education and advocacy for children; Ensures the school climate is positive and reflects high staff and student morale; willing to take risks to improve student learning; Works collaboratively with teachers and other staff to improve the educational program and student achievement; Anticipates emerging problems and acts effectively to resolve them and involves the community in the life of the school and uses community resources for students.

 

Ambrose has served in education for 44 years and has been at Thurgood Marshall Learning Center for the last 15 years.

"Mr. Ambrose and his staff have been instrumental in bringing Trauma-Informed Care to the forefront of meeting the social-emotional learning needs of his students. He is a great educational leader and we are very proud to have him in the RIMSD#4,” said Superintendent Dr. Reginald Lawrence.

 

This isn’t the first time principal Ambrose has been recognized for his dedication to education. In 2012, he was honored by the USA network for winning its Characters Unite Award. He was chosen out of 100 other principals from around the country for his effort to increase awareness for diversity, tolerance, and respect.

 

Principal Ambrose will be recognized on Monday, March 1 by the IPA. All region winners are forwarded for state-level competition.

 

The Illinois Principals Association is a leadership organization which serves over 5,200 educational leaders throughout the state of Illinois.